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State of Connecticut Labor Situation

Last Updated: July 17, 2025

CT industry employment advances 6,300 in June with a steady unemployment rate (3.8%)

WETHERSFIELD,  July 17, 2025 - Connecticut nonfarm payrolls gained 6,300 jobs (0.4%) in June 2025, to a level of 1,718,700, while the state's unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8% (preliminary, seasonally adjusted data). Nonfarm industry payrolls in the state are 7,700 (0.5%) positions higher than a year ago (1,711,000) and at new post-Covid highpoint. June included the return jobs from a major aircraft strike that was settled in late May (past survey week). The May 2025 preliminary job decrease of 6,500 (-0.4%) was lessened by 2,300 to a 4,200 jobs loss (-0.2%) on the normal monthly revision. The June 2025 preliminary Connecticut jobless rate of 3.8% is unchanged from May 2025 but higher by seven-tenths of one percent from a year ago (3.1%). CT remains below the U.S. rate (4.1%) for the 30th consecutive month. This labor statistics release presents current estimated data from two different monthly surveys (household and workplace) produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in association with the states. "The June rebound from the May jobs declines shows that Connecticut's labor market remains resilient", said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. "As expected, job growth so far in 2025 has been slower than during the first half of the past few years. Slow growth is still growth, and the unemployment rate remains low. While gains have been modest, they have been in a wide range of industries so far this year with Health Care and Social Assistance adding the most jobs." Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)

"One-time events, most significantly a labor dispute, contributed to May's decline" said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. "So far this year the employment picture has been mixed, consistent with an economy that is growing but growing slower than the rapid pace following the COVID lockdown."

NONFARM  EMPLOYMENT Jobs - by Place of Work CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted June May April March June Over Month Over Year  2025 P 2025 R 2025 2025 2024 Change Rate   Change  Rate   CONNECTICUT 1,718,700 1,712,400 1,716,600 1,711,800 1,711,000 6,300 0.4% 7,700 0.5% Total Private 1,482,600 1,477,300 1,481,700 1,476,800 1,474,700 5,300 0.4% 7,900 0.5% Goods Producing Industries   Mining 500 500 500 500 500 0 0.0% 0 0.0%   Construction 63,000 63,100 62,200 61,900 63,300 -100 -0.2%   -300 -0.5%   Manufacturing 153,100 150,600 154,300 154,400 156,300 2,500 1.7% -3,200 -2.0%     Durable Goods 120,100 117,400 121,000 121,200 122,500 2,700 2.3%   -2,400 -2.0%     Nondurable Goods 33,000 33,200 33,300 33,200 33,800 -200 -0.6% -800 -2.4% Service Providing Industries   Trade, Transportation & Utilities 299,500 299,900 302,000 300,400 298,900 -400 -0.1%   600 0.2%     Wholesale 62,700 62,200 61,900 61,400 60,900 500 0.8% 1,800 3.0%     Retail   163,000 164,100 166,700 165,600 165,800 -1,100 -0.7%   -2,800 -1.7%     Transp, Warehousing & Utilities 73,800 73,600 73,400 73,400 72,200 200 0.3% 1,600 2.2%   Information   30,800 30,600 30,500 30,500 30,900 200 0.7%   -100 -0.3%   Financial Activities 119,100 119,400 119,300 119,600 118,200 -300 -0.3% 900 0.8%     Finance & Insurance 99,300 99,500 99,300 99,600 98,500 -200 -0.2%   800 0.8%     Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 19,800 19,900 20,000 20,000 19,700 -100 -0.5% 100 0.5%   Professional & Business Services 221,700 220,600 222,100 220,000 221,100 1,100 0.5%   600 0.3%     Prof, Scientific & Tech Services 102,200 101,400 102,300 101,700 101,400 800 0.8% 800 0.8%     Management of Companies  30,900 30,800 30,900 30,900 31,200 100 0.3%   -300 -1.0%     Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv 88,600 88,400 88,900 87,400 88,500 200 0.2% 100 0.1%   Educational & Health Services 372,400 372,000 371,700 370,200 366,100 400 0.1%   6,300 1.7%     Private Educational Services 73,200 73,900 74,200 72,600 73,600 -700 -0.9% -400 -0.5%     Health Care & Social Assistance 299,200 298,100 297,500 297,600 292,500 1,100 0.4%   6,700 2.3%   Leisure and Hospitality 158,600 157,000 155,400 155,400 155,100 1,600 1.0% 3,500 2.3%     Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 28,600 28,300 27,600 27,500 29,600 300 1.1%   -1,000 -3.4%     Accommodation & Food Services 130,000 128,700 127,800 127,900 125,500 1,300 1.0% 4,500 3.6%   Other Services 63,900 63,600 63,700 63,900 64,300 300 0.5%   -400 -0.6%   Government** 236,100 235,100 234,900 235,000 236,300 1,000 0.4% -200 -0.1% UNITED STATES  159,724,000 159,577,000 159,433,000 159,275,000 157,915,000 147,000 0.1% 1,809,000 1.1%

Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): All five of the new major Connecticut LMAs (the 5 Metros formed from the CT Councils of Governments or COG regions) that are seasonally adjusted by the BLS (about 93.6% coverage of the state) relinquished nonfarm payroll jobs in June 2025. The Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA(0.7%, 609,900, strike return) added 4,000 positions, leading in both numeric and percentage gains while the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury LMA (0.2%, 411,100) increased 1,000 jobs. The Waterbury-Shelton LMA LMA (0.6%, 163,000) and the New Haven LMA (0.3%, 296,100) both increased 900 jobs. And the Norwich-New London-Willimantic LMA pitched in 200 positions (0.2%, 128,800).

LABOR MARKET AREAS (LMAs, COG-based)
Labor Market Area employment estimates are made independently of Statewide estimates.
Seasonally Adjusted data (Metros)			June	May	April	March	June	Over Month			Over Year
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (5 CT MSAs)			2025 P	2025 R	2025	2025	2024	Change	Rate		Change	Rate
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury			411,100	410,100	410,700	409,300	408,400	1,000	0.2%		2,700	0.7%
Hartford			609,900	605,900	608,100	607,400	609,200	4,000	0.7%		700	0.1%
New Haven			296,100	295,200	295,300	292,900	293,500	900	0.3%		2,600	0.9%
Norwich-New London-Willimantic			128,800	128,600	128,600	128,300	127,000	200	0.2%		1,800	1.4%
Waterbury - Shelton			163,000	162,100	161,900	161,200	160,400	900	0.6%		2,600	1.6%
Not Seasonally Adjusted data (Non-Classified Areas, 2 Micropolitan Statistical Areas - Micros, State estimated - not BLS)
Putnam - Northeastern			29,100	29,000	28,500	28,100	29,100	100	0.3%		0	0.0%
Torrington - Northwest Hills			38,600	38,500	37,600	37,000	38,300	100	0.3%		300	0.8%
* Less than 0.05%       ** Includes Native American tribal government employment							P = Preliminary		R = Revised
Connecticut Labor Situation												June 2025	January 2009

Note: The new five major Connecticut LMAs are independently estimated from the statewide data by the BLS and cover over 93% of the nonfarm employment in the state. As a result, estimates will not exactly sum to the statewide total. Furthermore, monthly Seasonal Adjustment (SA) on these 5 new designated COG-based labor markets may undergo some shifting seasonality effects due to the concurrent seasonal process exaggerating some movements on the new geographies due to the lack of more precise historical seasonal factors (because the metros are new).

Hours and Earnings: The June 2025 Private Sector average work week, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.5 hours (AWH). This is down one-tenth of an hour from the June 2024 average (-0.3%, 33.6). Average hourly earnings (AHE) at $38.98 in June 2025, not seasonally adjusted, were up by $1.15 (3.0%) from the June 2024 average estimate of $37.83. The subsequent June 2025 private sector average weekly earnings (AWE) were estimated at $1,305.83, higher by $34.74 (2.7%) from a year ago ($1,271.09). The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, not seasonally adjusted - all items index) for June 2025 was up 2.7% from a year ago.

AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS    AVG WEEKLY HOURS   AVG HOURLY EARNINGS Jun CHG May             Jun CHG May               Jun CHG May (Not seasonally adjusted) 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 PRODUCTION WORKER                         MANUFACTURING $1,177.28 $1,226.71 -$49.42 $1,189.77 39.8 38.6 1.2 40.1 $29.58 $31.78 -$2.20 $29.67  DURABLE GOODS 1,209.67 1,301.12 -91.45 1,226.57 38.5 38.0 0.5 39.1 31.42 34.24 -2.82 31.37  NON-DUR. GOODS 1,081.96 1,012.64 69.32 1,082.41 43.4 40.2 3.2 42.8 24.93 25.19 -0.26 25.29 CONSTRUCTION 1,564.42 1,546.05 18.37 1,544.63 38.8 39.2 -0.4 38.8 40.32 39.44 0.88 39.81                     ALL EMPLOYEES                         STATEWIDE                   TOTAL PRIVATE 1,305.83 1,271.09 34.74 1,298.93 33.5 33.6 -0.1 33.4 38.98 37.83 1.15 38.89 GOODS PRODUCING 1,519.74 1,523.34 -3.60 1,534.44 38.3 39.1 -0.8 38.0 39.68 38.96 0.72 40.38    Construction 1,577.31 1,556.23 21.08 1,598.64 37.0 37.8 -0.8 37.1 42.63 41.17 1.46 43.09    Manufacturing 1,493.26 1,446.73 46.53 1,459.54 39.4 38.6 0.8 38.5 37.90 37.48 0.42 37.91 SERVICE PROVIDING 1,270.07 1,225.43 44.64 1,258.36 32.7 32.6 0.1 32.6 38.84 37.59 1.25 38.60    Trade, Transp., Utilities 1,043.58 988.80 54.78 1,027.84 32.5 32.0 0.5 32.1 32.11 30.90 1.21 32.02    Financial Activities 2,183.71 2,208.00 -24.29 2,163.10 37.8 37.5 0.3 36.7 57.77 58.88 -1.11 58.94    Prof. & Business Serv. 1,648.83 1,626.14 22.69 1,574.70 36.6 36.6 0.0 36.2 45.05 44.43 0.62 43.50    Education & Health Ser. 1,192.94 1,136.11 56.83 1,198.56 32.8 32.6 0.2 33.0 36.37 34.85 1.52 36.32    Leisure & Hospitality 615.50 598.53 16.97 632.36 25.0 25.6 -0.6 25.8 24.62 23.38 1.24 24.51    Other Services 833.15 925.63 -92.48 837.96 28.3 30.2 -1.9 28.3 29.44 30.65 -1.21 29.61 LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE                    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury 1,352.67 1,298.88 53.79 1,336.73 32.8 32.8 0.0 32.9 41.24 39.60 1.64 40.63    Hartford-W.Hartford-E.Hartford 1,277.57 1,306.62 -29.05 1,278.70 33.7 34.0 -0.3 33.5 37.91 38.43 -0.52 38.17    New Haven 1,246.15 1,180.80 65.35 1,235.43 33.4 32.7 0.7 33.3 37.31 36.11 1.20 37.10    Norwich-New London-Willimantic 1,108.84 1,091.30 17.54 1,153.11 31.6 31.9 -0.3 32.3 35.09 34.21 0.88 35.70    Waterbury-Shelton 1,181.88 1,116.22 65.66 1,169.98 34.7 33.3 1.4 34.2 34.06 33.52 0.54 34.21 Note: Current all-employee private sector hours and earnings estimates can be volatile due to fluctuating sample responses..

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in June, after rising 0.1 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose 0.2 percent in June and was the primary factor in the all items monthly increase. The energy index rose 0.9 percent in June as the gasoline index increased 1.0 percent over the month. The index for food increased 0.3 percent as the index for food at home rose 0.3 percent and the index for food away from home rose 0.4 percent in June. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in June, following a 0.1-percent increase in May. Indexes that increased over the month include household furnishings and operations, medical care, recreation, apparel, and personal care. The indexes for used cars and trucks, new vehicles, and airline fares were among the major indexes that decreased in June. The all items index rose 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending June, after rising 2.4 percent over the 12 months ending May. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.9 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 0.8 percent for the 12 months ending June. The food index increased 3.0 percent over the last year.

State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate

The preliminary May 2025 unemployment rate for Connecticut was estimated by the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program (LAUS) to be 3.8% (seasonally adjusted). This is up one-tenth of a percentage point from April 2025 (3.7%). CT's unemployment rate is up seven-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago (3.1%). The U.S. unemployment rate for May 2025 was 4.2%, unchanged from the April 2025 rate (4.2%) but higher over the year from 4.0% in May 2024.

Month 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. Jan  5.3 4.8 -0.5 4.6 4.7 0.1 4.2 4.0 -0.2 3.7 4.0 0.3 3.8 3.6 -0.2 7.2 6.4 -0.8 4.8 4.0 -0.8 3.4 3.5 0.1 3.3 3.7 0.4 3.3 4.0 0.7 Feb  5.2 4.9 -0.3 4.5 4.6 0.1 4.2 4.1 -0.1 3.6 3.8 0.2 3.8 3.5 -0.3 7.2 6.2 -1.0 4.6 3.8 -0.8 3.3 3.6 0.3 3.2 3.9 0.7 3.4 4.1 0.7 Mar  5.1 5.0 -0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.1 4.0 -0.1 3.5 3.8 0.3 3.9 4.4 0.5 7.2 6.1 -1.1 4.4 3.7 -0.7 3.2 3.5 0.3 3.2 3.9 0.7 3.6 4.2 0.6 Apr  5.0 5.1 0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.0 4.0 0.0 3.5 3.7 0.2 8.3 14.8 6.5 7.2 6.1 -1.1 4.3 3.7 -0.6 3.1 3.4 0.3 3.1 3.9 0.8 3.7 4.2 0.5 May  5.0 4.8 -0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 3.9 3.8 -0.1 3.5 3.6 0.1 11.9 13.2 1.3 7.0 5.8 -1.2 4.2 3.6 -0.6 3.1 3.6 0.5 3.1 4.0 0.9 3.8 4.2 0.4 Jun  4.9 4.9 0.0 4.4 4.3 -0.1 3.9 4.0 0.1 3.5 3.6 0.1 11.5 11.0 -0.5 7.0 5.9 -1.1 4.0 3.6 -0.4 3.0 3.6 0.6 3.1 4.1 1.0 3.8 4.1 0.3 Jul  4.8 4.8 0.0 4.4 4.3 -0.1 3.8 3.8 0.0 3.5 3.7 0.2 11.7 10.2 -1.5 6.6 5.4 -1.2 3.9 3.5 -0.4 3.1 3.5 0.4 3.1 4.2 1.1 Aug  4.7 4.9 0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 3.8 3.8 0.0 3.6 3.6 0.0 9.6 8.4 -1.2 6.3 5.1 -1.2 3.7 3.6 -0.1 3.1 3.7 0.6 3.2 4.2 1.0 Sep  4.7 5.0 0.3 4.3 4.3 0.0 3.8 3.7 -0.1 3.6 3.5 -0.1 8.8 7.8 -1.0 5.9 4.7 -1.2 3.7 3.5 -0.2 3.2 3.8 0.6 3.2 4.1 0.9 Oct  4.6 4.9 0.3 4.3 4.2 -0.1 3.7 3.8 0.1 3.6 3.6 0.0 7.9 6.9 -1.0 5.6 4.5 -1.1 3.7 3.6 -0.1 3.3 3.9 0.6 3.2 4.1 0.9 Nov  4.6 4.7 0.1 4.3 4.2 -0.1 3.7 3.8 0.1 3.7 3.6 -0.1 7.5 6.7 -0.8 5.3 4.2 -1.1 3.6 3.6 0.0 3.3 3.7 0.4 3.2 4.2 1.0 Dec  4.6 4.7 0.1 4.3 4.1 -0.2 3.7 3.9 0.2 3.7 3.6 -0.1 7.4 6.7 -0.7 5.0 3.9 -1.1 3.5 3.5 0.0 3.3 3.8 0.5 3.2 4.1 0.9 The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value.  Labor Force / Residents Employed / Residents Unemployed Average weekly initial unemployment claims (not seasonally adjusted) for first-time filers (AWIC) in Connecticut for June 2025 were 4,409. This is 1,986 (82.0%) claims higher than May 2025 (2,423) but just slightly higher by a meager 20 claims (0.5%) than the June 2024 (4,389) level. Month  2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Jan   1,928.9 1,858.3 70.6 1,938.8 1,865.6 73.3 1,811.7 1,680.9 130.8 1,952.9 1,859.1 93.8 1,905.2 1,840.3 64.9 1,926.9 1,863.3 63.6 1,957.3 1,893.4 63.8 Feb   1,928.1 1,858.6 69.5 1,933.3 1,858.9 74.4 1,809.0 1,678.7 130.2 1,948.9 1,860.0 88.9 1,905.5 1,842.7 62.8 1,929.7 1,867.2 62.5 1,957.1 1,890.7 66.4 Mar   1,927.2 1,859.0 68.2 1,927.1 1,851.7 75.4 1,807.6 1,678.0 129.6 1,944.4 1,859.6 84.8 1,906.3 1,845.3 61.0 1,933.0 1,871.5 61.4 1,956.4 1,886.9 69.5 Apr   1,927.0 1,859.8 67.2 1,830.8 1,678.9 151.9 1,808.7 1,678.3 130.4 1,940.4 1,857.6 82.8 1,907.5 1,848.0 59.5 1,936.4 1,875.6 60.8 1,960.1 1,888.0 72.2 May   1,928.0 1,861.3 66.7 1,905.1 1,679.3 225.8 1,806.6 1,679.6 127.0 1,934.9 1,854.3 80.6 1,909.0 1,850.5 58.5 1,939.9 1,879.4 60.5 1,960.2 1,885.9 74.3 Jun   1,930.2 1,863.4 66.9 1,896.4 1,678.4 218.0 1,828.9 1,701.8 127.1 1,927.7 1,849.7 78.0 1,911.1 1,853.0 58.1 1,943.0 1,882.4 60.5 1,956.5 1,882.7 73.8 Jul   1,933.2 1,865.4 67.8 1,905.1 1,682.8 222.3 1,845.4 1,723.3 122.1 1,919.6 1,844.6 75.0 1,913.8 1,855.2 58.6 1,946.1 1,885.1 60.9 Aug   1,936.3 1,867.3 68.9 1,864.0 1,685.3 178.7 1,863.2 1,745.5 117.7 1,911.6 1,840.2 71.5 1,916.3 1,856.6 59.7 1,949.5 1,888.0 61.5 Sep   1,939.2 1,869.4 69.8 1,852.5 1,689.0 163.5 1,878.9 1,767.3 111.6 1,908.9 1,837.4 71.5 1,918.5 1,857.3 61.3 1,952.8 1,890.8 62.0 Oct   1,941.6 1,871.0 70.5 1,833.0 1,688.5 144.5 1,897.6 1,790.5 107.2 1,907.0 1,836.3 70.7 1,920.5 1,857.8 62.7 1,955.4 1,893.0 62.4 Nov   1,943.0 1,871.6 71.3 1,824.6 1,687.0 137.6 1,915.0 1,813.5 101.5 1,905.8 1,836.6 69.2 1,922.4 1,858.7 63.7 1,955.9 1,893.4 62.5 Dec   1,942.2 1,869.9 72.3 1,819.8 1,684.2 135.6 1,934.2 1,836.5 97.6 1,905.4 1,838.2 67.1 1,924.5 1,860.4 64.1 1,955.6 1,893.2 62.5 The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value. Next Connecticut Labor Situation release: Monday, August 18th, 2025 (Preliminary July 2025 data)

State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 LMI Home | CTDOL Home | Feedback | This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. (more)

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